The village of Petoskey was established in 1873 with the arrival of the railroad and the discovery of beautiful land with cooler summers and opportunity for homesteading.
A few years later, in October of 1875, Dr. William Little, while feeling poorly, continued in his capacity as village doctor and township supervisor and purchased the site which is now Greenwood Cemetery. Sadly, he was one of its first burials, dying of a heart attack at the age of 33 just one month later.
In 1882, on her way to a camp meeting from her home west of the new village, 52-year-old Elizabeth Singer lost control of her rig when something startled her horses. The wagon struck a stump and she was thrown from it, landing on her head. She died instantly.
On this year's walking tour, you'll learn about many more who were among the first to occupy the cemetery almost 150 years ago -- including one young man whose death involved rolling pins. We'll cover the first ten years of notable, recorded adult burials.
Be advised, the tour is concentrated in one area of the cemetery — the oldest part — but, still may include hilly terrain.
Don't miss a thing! The tour will begin promptly at the start time, so come early enough to allow for parking and walking/shuttling from the Sheridan Street gate to the well house located in the center of the cemetery.
North Central Michigan College • 1515 Howard Street, Petoskey, MI 49770
